Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has hit out at media “narratives” vital of him and the membership, adamant his checklist stays able to salvaging its poor begin to the season
The Tigers are languishing in sixteenth spot on the ladder, with rebuilding sides Hawthorn and West Coast – who the membership faces on Saturday afternoon – the one golf equipment sitting beneath them.
Hardwick mentioned he was “incredibly flat and frustrated” with the place the membership was at however declared he nonetheless had the need to educate the membership long run.
Richmond faces the nightmare state of affairs of giving up a prized first spherical choice (at present choose three) to Greater Western Sydney after the Jacob Hopper commerce final yr, however Hardwick mentioned he would a lot choose the confirmed participant than “magic beans”.
The Tigers have been cruelled by damage this season and can get some aid this weekend, with premiership midfielders Dion Prestia and Jack Graham set to return in opposition to the Eagles.
Responding to claims Hardwick had doubtlessly misplaced the gamers, the coach was blunt.
“It’s their narratives. That’s the reality, it’s easy to sit there and say those comments when they’re sitting behind a desk – come and say it to my face,” he mentioned.
Hardwick mentioned it was a straightforward repair for the Tigers to return to their finest, with the three-time premiership coach having full religion that his taking part in group can flip it round.
“One of those ones you sit back and reflect and the overriding things ‘why things how they are’. And it’s a bit like everything – you’re never quite as bad as you seem,” Hardwick mentioned.
“It’s a relatively simple fix for us, our energy and intensity wasn’t anywhere near the level that we’d like and that’s something we spoke about with our players.
“Narratives are part of the AFL landscape and we understand that. And where we are on the ladder probably opens us up to that, but the fact of the matter is to change the narrative, we’ve got to win some games.
“I think our list is well and truly capable. Many people would go ‘you’re kidding yourself’, but the fact of the matter is I’ve got incredible belief in this group of players.
“We are nowhere near where we need to be, but I certainly think we are capable when we get our game up and going, when we get some players back into the side, we are going to be hard to beat.”
Spearhead Tom Lynch is out of a moon boot however continues to be sidelined for the medium time period, whereas ruckman Toby Nankervis, who’s again working, gained’t return for one more fortnight.
Hardwick, who’s contracted till the top of 2024, insists he’s nonetheless extremely pushed in his 14th yr on the helm and mentioned he’d had open conversations about his future with chief govt Brendon Gale.
“Yeah I do (have the passion to coach), it was just one of those games where you couldn’t seem to get anything to go, or anything to work and our players felt that as well, and that’s when you do feel flat,” Hardwick mentioned.
“Look, did it come across a little bit like that? Yeah it probably did, but the fact of the matter is I was probably feeling like any supporter in this organisation, incredibly flat and frustrated with where we are at.
“But once I sit there in the cold hard light of day and review the tape and work through a few things, I feel a hell of a lot better.”
Hardwick threw his help behind Gale to take up a job at AFL House or the Tasmanian staff however wouldn’t touch upon considerations over the method through which Gale missed out on the AFL chief govt position.
He mentioned the Tigers could be keen to let him go for the higher good of the competitors.
“I think Brendon is a superstar at what he does. I think either way the AFL went, whether it was Andrew Dillon or Brendon Gale, they would get a superstar of the competition,” he mentioned.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love our guy here, he has been outstanding for me and outstanding for our footy club, but once again if it is going to give the game a broader scope or offer it to improve, then that’s what Richmond does, we provide the opportunity.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
